Lynn (TheLankyYankee) -
Helpful Score: 4
I thought I had read and knew everything about Bin Laden and Sept. 11, and didn't think this book would discuss anything new. I was wrong. The focus is on the beginnings of Islamic anger and leads to the development of Bin Laden and al-Queda, including how they were able to form. They could have been destroyed years ago; if not, then September 11 could have been prevented. Frustrating and exasperating.
Never forget.
Never forget.
Anna M. (chickpea) -
Helpful Score: 1
This book was an informative, historical look at the rise of Al Qaeda, beginning with a philosophy starting in the 1920's to a few months after 9/11. I'm not a huge historian, but the book was interesting and very understandable. I have a better understanding of the historical and philosophical backdrop to the events of 9/11, from Al Qaeda's perspective, as well as the political and historical context that surrounded the FBI, CIA and NSA, pre 9/11. Well written, researched & indexed.
Helpful Score: 1
My head is swimming with the names of all the organizations and individuals who claim to be our enemies, but I consider this a must read, especially in light of what is happening in the Middle East today. Amazingly, the author manages to make sense of all that has happened and jis still happening.
Aron H. (aron) - , reviewed The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 on + 13 more book reviews
Compelling, disturbing, surprising. It synthesizes a huge amount of information from other publications and documents, and hundreds of interviews by the author to give a clear portrait of Bin Laden and the organization he helped create. I was shocked by the clear presentation of the failure of information sharing between the CIA and FBI, and how a bit more cooperation could have lead the FBI to catch some of the 9/11 terrorists before the event.
I wanted to hang on to this one and read it again but I decided to post it so someone else could enjoy it.
This book contained just the right amount of detail; it was easy to read yet very informative. The reader is given insight into the birth and growth of the Islamic Fundamental movement; the alliance of Al Queda with Al-Jihad in 1998, and the events that led up to 9/11. Most stunning is the American intelligence that could have prevented the terrorist attacks on New York, however it was not properly shared between the CIA and FBI due to conflict between the agencies.
I highly recommend this book.
This book contained just the right amount of detail; it was easy to read yet very informative. The reader is given insight into the birth and growth of the Islamic Fundamental movement; the alliance of Al Queda with Al-Jihad in 1998, and the events that led up to 9/11. Most stunning is the American intelligence that could have prevented the terrorist attacks on New York, however it was not properly shared between the CIA and FBI due to conflict between the agencies.
I highly recommend this book.
Jessica P. (celestial-winter) reviewed The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 on + 31 more book reviews
I had to read this book for a journalism assignment and despite the assignment, it was actually a pretty good read. It was very informing and helped me to understand just why we entered war in the first place.
